Job application woes

So, I started my new job almost a month ago. WooHoo! To put this into perspective, I haven’t worked in an office since my son was born. Actually, besides my short time with Michael’s (my fun job for a little over a year), I haven’t worked a “real” job since 1994. I’ve done fundraising, ran a small business that paid for my craft habits, and volunteered in different organizations, but that’s about it. I’m excited for the opportunity and thankfully that they saw past my lack of experience and recognized my potential.

Anyone who has had to apply for jobs knows that it can be tedious and discouraging. My least favorite were the jobs that wanted me to fill out an application online (which are 90% nowadays). After spending over an hour trying to perfect one particular online application, I was just a tad bit irritated when it redirected me to their “Online interview.” Really?

*grumbles as I begin to answer the questions*

The first question they asked was what I could bring to COMPANY X. Well, I found the ad on Craigslist and had no clue who COMPANY X was because all it said was a job for an Administrative Assistant. So, now I need to go in and look up COMPANY X. *grumbles some more* Then all they gave me for the name of COMPANY X was an acronym. Now, let me stop right here and say that after putting a bazillion applications in, I was more concerned about finding a job with whomever would take me than who the company was. So, anyway, I do a search on Google and find a half a dozen companies with the same acronym, but only two that are in the Sacramento area. Now what do I do? I read the rest of the questions and concluded that it probably had to do with construction.

At this point, I’m about ready to hit the X at the top of my screen and move on to the next job application. The more I get in the more chances to get a call back, right? However, I’ve already invested an hour and a half on this adventure, so I stick with it. I go back to the first question and answer it with a bit of sarcasm in my voice. My answer…

Since I found your ad for the Admin Assist position on Craigslist, I’m assuming COMPANY X is COMPANY CONSTRUCTION. If that’s the case then even though I don’t have direct experience in the construction business, my ex-husband worked in the industry for twenty-five years so I’m familiar with building codes, products and construction terms. Honestly, I know more about fastners and steel from China than any homemaker should ever have to know. Then I go into my actual experience twenty years ago.

The rest of the questions were answered in similar fashion. I answered them in more of a personal or tongue-in-cheek nature than a professional one. I had put in so many applications up to that point, with perfect answers and little results, that I was ready to try something different. To my surprise, they gave me a call back and wanted to have me come in for an interview.

Wow! Wasn’t expecting that.

My friend has worked in HR for many years and so when I told her what I put down she laughed and was just as surprised they gave me a call back as I was. If I hadn’t already accepted a job I started then I would’ve loved to go in for an interview and see what kind of smart asses worked there. LOL

Anyway, my hat is off to anyone looking for a job right now. It takes patience, perseverance, and a sense of humor because it’s hard! The rejection alone can be discouraging even though it really doesn’t have anything to do with you. Most of the time it has to do with personalities melding and the skill set you have to offer. I’m sure there were more qualified candidates that applied for my new job, but for some reason they liked me and it’s probably because I can be a little cheeky, irreverent, and nothing is going to make me run away, not even lube packets strung as garland in the cubical next to mine. Ha! Now you’re probably wondering what job I took. I’m not going to tell, but I can’t imagine a job that would fit me more perfectly than this one.